Main menu

Directing for the Screen - Capstone

The Capstone for this module should include (but is not restricted to) the following two components:

Portfolio which must include:

A reel on DVD, containing 2 or more complete short films you have directed (including class assignments, extra-curricular and off-campus work)

A filmmaking resume

A bio

A filmography listing projects as director and in any other craft (editing, cinematography, sound) central to your filmmaking practice. List awards/honors, as well as festivals/other venues where the films have played

Brief synopses and brief director’s statement for all films on your reel, in addition to press kit materials for at least one of the films, which may include such items as production photos, production history, director/cast/crew interview(s), as well as press clippings about your films and any reviews of your work or festival synopses that engage in thematic or qualitative analysis.)

A 10-15 page analysis of your filmmaking process while a student at NU, including a consideration of professional prospects and sustainability that must include the following:

An historical and aesthetic understanding of different traditions in narrative filmmaking, both in terms of story structure and visualization.

A statement of who you are as a director in the context of these traditions: what subject matter, genres, traditions and technical aspects of cinematic storytelling (performance, cinematography, editing/post-production, sound) matter most in your practice and why.

An extended discussion of one film on your reel, directly addressing technical, narrative and/or performance techniques employed, with citation of key artistic influence(s), relating to the emotional, thematic and physiological experiences you worked to create in your film and why.

An assessment of process: how have your finished work, working methods, collaborations, and your developing strengths, as well as your goals for future work, developed and changed in making these films?

A reflection on experience gained through off-campus and extracurricular filmmaking activities (internships and jobs).

A knowledge of venues, potential markets, and sources of development and production support for emerging filmmakers.